Man in wheelchair accused of robbing Levy store with knife

John Christopher Champion, 22, of Chiefland, was arrested by the Chiefland Police Department on charges of armed robbery and aggravated battery.

By Karen VoylesStaff writer

Chiefland police officers said a man in a wheelchair held up a convenience store with a knife and told the store clerk police would not arrest a handicapped person.A few minutes later, the suspect was arrested after police found him sitting in his wheelchair, which had gotten stuck in the sand behind the store. Police said he was drinking a Bud Light Lime when they found him.John Christopher Champion, 22, of Chiefland, was arrested by the Chiefland Police Department on charges of armed robbery and aggravated battery.The holdup happened inside the Chevron at 607 S. Main St. in Chiefland. Police said the incident was recorded on surveillance cameras, but the employee who had access to the surveillance system could not immediately be contacted.

The 54-year-old clerk on duty told police that a man in a motorized wheelchair wearing a Gator hat and Gator sweatshirt had been going in and out of the store for several hours Wednesday evening. At about 9:45 p.m., according to the clerk, the man maneuvered his chair around to the back of the counter while he was holding a pocket knife and demanded the money from the cash register.The clerk told police that she got into a struggle with the man and stabbed him in the leg three times before he overpowered her. He left the store carrying a 12-pack of beer and a roll of electrical tape — items worth a total of about $20.Officer Justin Douglas found Champion and his wheelchair stuck behind the store. Champion was drinking a beer. He told Douglas that he had been in the store and stolen some items, but said he did not rob the store.Champion also told Douglas that he directed the clerk to push the button that summoned law enforcement because police would not arrest a handicapped person.Chief Robert Douglas (no relation to Justin Douglas) said Champion was treated for the stab wounds and booked into the Levy County jail.Officers could not find the knife Champion is suspected of using in the crime. Champion told police he had thrown the knife in the woods so it would not be found.